March 24, 2009
A bustier dress has been defined over and over again as the ultimate in sexy. Although a bustier top or dress by Jean Paul Gaultier or Proenza Schouler would be ideal, an inexpensive price point is more in line with reality these days. That makes this Pleated Bust Dress, $32 an exceptional find. Available in three colors, my choice would be black, as you can definitely get extra mileage out of it that way.
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March 23, 2009
While perusing the ginormous Bed, Bath & Beyond on 23rd Street last weekend, my boyfriend pointed out something rather comical; this Ed Hardy shower curtain, which seemed quite of place amongst the terry towels, vinyl curtains, and wicker baskets.
So apparently, Ed Hardy has teamed up with Bed, Bath & Beyond to create a home line. Remember earlier in the week when I mentioned that some collaborations between designers and brands are just plain weird? Add this one to your list, please. I guess there are die-hard Ed Hardy customers out there, but this tatooed design stuff, at least to me, is incredibly ugly. Besides the fact that Ed Hardy is pretty much overkill at this point, and for most people is not aesthetically pleasing, the prices on the Ed Hardy Bed & Bath line are just plain offensive.
The aforementioned Ed Hardy Love Kills Slowly Fabric Shower Curtain is $150!!! There are other items as well, like the Pepto-Bismal pink duvet set (full/queen) for $330, or the Ed Hardy Eagle Gold Full/Queen Mini Duvet Cover Set for $430 (full/queen), or even a bowler-bag style Ed Hardy Diaper Bag for a mere $120. As far as I’m concerned, this whole thing is beyond words, and I just don’t get the draw…besides the cast of “Tool Academy” who’s buying this stuff?
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March 22, 2009
I’ve been excited for quite some time for the Steven Alan for Uniqlo designer collaboration project to come out, so I foolishly went to Soho on a Saturday. By the masses on Broadway and hour-long check out and dressing room lines inside Uniqlo, who would ever have thought that we’re in a recession? Anyways, the Steven Alan women’s collection was largely in a palette of red, blue, and a bit of black (not mixed together) with ruching, pleats, and sweet little pin tucks. There were some retro dresses that felt a bit Built by Wendy to me, with the real gems being the button down shirts. I like the ones with accordion pleating and slight Peter Pan collars (seel left), as well as the chest pocket roll-tab ones, both available in blue & white, red & white or black & white. There was no way I was waiting in the atrociously long dressing room lines, so I tried on the items in a mirrored corner of the men’s section. Final thoughts: for about $50 each, the button tees are a nice investment to make, whose mid-quality wil most likely last you more than a season. 
The men’s Opening Ceremony collection was a nice capsule of lightweight multi-colored button downs (see right), more dressier shirts that came with a pocket square, and blazers. Overall impression was that both of these collections could be a success, however Uniqlo needs to figure out a better way to funnel people through the store, as I don’t think its such bargain basement prices to elicit waiting on line for more than 15 minutes.
-Julia DiNardo
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March 21, 2009
The eco-friendly line is back! Scott Mackinlay Hahn and CFDA award winning designer Rogan Gregory have teamed up to bring the Loomstate label to the masses via Target. This time around, both women and men will benefit, with 100 percent certified organic cotton being used in casual styles such as denim minis, shift dresses, linen sweaters, and jersey tees. The first time the collaboration with Target launched, a picked up a dark denim organic cotton skirt, that is now considered one of my “can’t live without” items. The collection launches April 19th and will be available in stores through May 16th (women’s) and June 20th (men’s only).
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